The Japan Times - Sports (English)

Barcelona 'justified' semi-final spot despite Dortmund loss, says Flick

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said his side deserved to reach the Champions League semi-finals despite a 3-1 loss in the second leg at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

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'We thought the tie was over': Dembele admits PSG switched off against Villa

Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele said his side needed to learn not to switch off in big games after almost collapsing against Aston Villa in their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, and called on his teammates to avoid making the same mistake in the last four.

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Barca through to Champions League semis despite Guirassy hat-trick

Barcelona are through to the Champions League semi-finals with a 5-3 aggregate win, despite losing 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday with Serhou Guirassy hitting a hat-trick.

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PSG survive Aston Villa scare to reach Champions League semis

Paris Saint-Germain survived a second half onslaught to beat Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate and reach the Champions League semi-finals despite a 3-2 defeat on Tuesday.

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French Ligue 1 clubs vote to break TV deal with DAZN

French Ligue 1 clubs on Tuesday voted in favour of breaking their domestic television deal with DAZN at the end of this season, leaving them facing an uncertain future.

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Kane urges Bayern to hit the mark against Inter in Champions League

Harry Kane said Tuesday that he hoped he and his Bayern Munich teammates will be clinical in front of goal in their Champions League showdown with Inter Milan, after wasteful finishing in recent matches.

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Arteta feeding Arsenal stars 'opposite' of comeback message

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said he has spent three days filling his players' heads with messages of strength ahead of their Champions League showdown against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

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Watkins left on Villa bench for PSG return

Aston Villa's top goalscorer Ollie Watkins was left on the bench by Unai Emery despite the need to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

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Chahal stars as Punjab defend IPL's lowest total of 111 in 'best win'

Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal returned figures of 4-28 as Punjab Kings defended IPL's lowest ever total of 111 to down holders Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 runs in a thriller on Tuesday.

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French swim star Marchand considered taking year-long break

French swimmer Leon Marchand said he considered taking time away from the sport after winning four gold medals at the Paris Olympics, but admitted that it didn't take long for his motivation to return.

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Chahal stars as Punjab defend IPL's lowest total of 111

Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal returned figures of 4-28 as Punjab Kings defended IPL's lowest ever total of 111 to down holders Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 runs in a thriller on Tuesday.

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Universal Studios, Venice Beach to host LA 2028 events

An iconic Hollywood studio lot and the golden sands of Venice Beach are among an array of Los Angeles landmarks that will stage events for the 2028 Olympic Games, organisers said Tuesday.

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Alcaraz follows Ruud into Barcelona Open last 16

World number two Carlos Alcaraz came back from a break down in the second set to defeat Ethan Quinn 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) and reach the Barcelona Open last 16 on Tuesday.

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Everyone thinks Real Madrid comeback 'nailed-on': Bellingham

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham said everyone at the club believes the Champions League holders can mount an historic comeback against Arsenal on Wednesday.

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Inzaghi pushing Inter to end San Siro hoodoo with Bayern and reach Champions League semis

Simone Inzaghi on Tuesday urged his Inter Milan team to end a San Siro hoodoo against Bayern Munich and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

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Arsenal's Odegaard can prove point on Real Madrid return

A decade after failing to break through at Real Madrid, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard can show his former side they were wrong not to give him enough opportunities to shine.

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Van der Poel E3 'spitter' facing fine

The person who spat at Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel during the E3 Classic last month has been identified and will face a fine, the local police in Ronse, where the incident occurred, announced on Tuesday.

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Howe will only return to Newcastle dugout when '100 percent' ready

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will only return to lead the club when he is "100 percent" ready following a diagnosis of pneumonia, his assistant Jason Tindall said on Tuesday.

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Arsenal target Champions League glory to save season

Arsenal face Real Madrid on Wednesday with one foot already in the Champions League semi-finals but with the added pressure of knowing their entire season hinges on the result at the Bernabeu.

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Kane and Bayern need killer instinct with home final at stake

Bayern Munich and Harry Kane head to Inter Milan on Wednesday needing a victory to reach the semi-finals and keep their dream of playing in a home Champions League final alive.

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Mbappe leading Real Madrid comeback charge against Arsenal

Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid in search of Champions League glory, hoping to be on the right side of exactly the kind of magical night they need against Arsenal on Wednesday if they are to progress to the semi-finals.

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All Black wing Tele'a announces Japan switch

All Blacks wing Mark Tele'a said Tuesday that he will play in Japan next year, depriving New Zealand of a key player ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

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Bournemouth beat Fulham to boost European hopes

Antoine Semenyo struck in the first minute as Bournemouth boosted their hopes of qualifying for continental competition with a 1-0 Premier League victory over fellow European hopefuls Fulham on Monday.

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Newcastle manager Howe diagnosed with pneumonia

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will miss the club's next two Premier League games after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

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Alvarez bags penalty double as Atletico beat Valladolid

Julian Alvarez netted two penalties as Atletico Madrid dispatched bottom side Real Valladolid 4-2 on Monday in La Liga.

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Judge to captain USA in World Baseball Classic

New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge will captain the United States in next year's World Baseball Classic, it was announced on Monday.

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Lukaku stars as Napoli keep pressure on Serie A leaders Inter

Romelu Lukaku made sure that Napoli would stay three points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan with a goal and two assists in Monday's 3-0 win over struggling Empoli.

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Dhoni snaps Chennai's five-match IPL losing streak

Former India captain M.S. Dhoni rolled back the years with an unbeaten 26 as Chennai Super Kings bounced back from five losses to down Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets in the IPL on Monday.

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French prosecutor investigates as man confesses to throwing bottle at Van der Poel

The Lille public prosecutor's office confirmed on Monday that it had opened an investigation into "violence with a weapon" after a water bottle was thrown at Mathieu van der Poel, as he rode to victory in the Paris-Roubaix cycling race.

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PSG's Desire Doue: Talented by name and by nature

Paris Saint-Germain have the lowest average age of all sides in this season's Champions League quarter-finals and no player embodies the youthful energy and dynamism of Luis Enrique's team more than the thrilling Desire Doue.

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Phoenix Suns fire Budenholzer after missing playoffs

The Phoenix Suns fired head coach Mike Budenholzer on Monday after the team failed to reach the NBA playoffs despite having the largest payroll in the league.

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Zverev shakes off recent funk to beat Muller in Munich

World number three Alexander Zverev got his clay court season back on track with a 6-4, 6-1 over Frenchman Alexandre Muller in the first round of the ATP event in Munich on Monday.

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